Birding and other distractions

A Long-tailed Shrike, recently present in Scotland, was last seen on 8th July after a short stay. I had hoped it would come further south though there had been no news in the following days. However, that all changed yesterday when it, or a different bird, was found in Eastleach, Gloucestershire. I couldn't get away then but this morning set off after confirmation that the bird was still present. The journey took longer than expected mainly due to the usual problems on the M25, and we didn't get there until mid-morning. However, the shrike was seen shortly after arrival, present in a hedgerow bordering a recently cut hay field. It was then watched on and off for the next two hours, though could be distant for much of the time.  It was another warm and sunny day, with barely a cloud in the sky. Nice though that was, the conditions weren't ideal for photography due to heat haze and a subject never very close. Nevertheless, there were a lot of happy birders there, and we left ...

The Palheiro Botanical Garden was an enjoyable place to visit today. It is less formerly planted than the Jardim Botanico visited a couple of days ago in Madeira, and consequently we preferred it. Some parts seemed akin to a nature reserve, with some stunning views down to the coastline and Funchal. T he garden is also a site for the endemic Trocaz Pigeon which I had yet to see.  We spent about three hours there, seeing Madeiran Chaffinch, Madeiran Firecrest, Kestrels, and hearing plenty of Blackcaps, still in fine voice even in late June. However, it took nearly two hours to find a Trocaz Pigeon, an adult eventually appearing on a wall quite close to me. It was bigger than I expected, about the same size as a Wood Pigeon. The bird (or another) was later seen nearby in flight. Perez's Frogs were present in many of the ornamental ponds, and Madeiran Wall Lizard were easy to find in many areas. Butterflies included Clouded Yellow, Speckled Wood, and a solitary Monarch. Trocaz Pigeon...

A Western Reef Heron was found near Caernarfon last Saturday (6th), a first for Britain no less. Somewhat belatedly we travelled there yesterday, arriving in the area at 9 pm. I'd booked a hotel in Tremadog for the overnight stay. At breakfast this morning news came in that the heron had been seen near Caernarfon castle, a 20 minute drive away. On our arrival the bird was feeding on the far bank of the river and gave excellent views. It was in immaculate plumage, a very smart bird that we watched from the car park with other birders. At times it was seen together with a Little Egret allowing comparative views. After that we drove south to Ganllwyd, a National Trust reserve of wooded hillside alongside the river Gamlan. It was getting late in the season though I was hoping to see a Wood Warbler, and fortunately found a singing male near the car park. Nearby a pair of Redstart showed quite well. By now it was 1 pm so we decided to head back. The drive back via Snowdonia was very scen...

A fairly breezy though dry and bright day. I walked my usual anti-clockwise route near Binney Farm. Reed Warblers and Sedge Warblers were singing from the reed beds, and a female Cuckoo was seen well. At Binney reservoir I was pleased to find a pair of Black-necked Grebes in summer plumage. Hopefully they will breed there. Also present were four Pochard, one of the females having seven ducklings. On the marshes were four singing Corn Buntings, two pairs of Stonechat, and a good number of Meadow Pipits.  In amongst the cattle were three Cattle Egret, presumably local breeding birds. It's a sign of the times perhaps that they outnumbered Little Egret, of which only one was seen. There were two each of Buzzard and Marsh Harrier. Cuckoo female  Black-necked Grebes and Pochard with young  Reed Bunting  Avocet and chicks Cattle Egret  Corn Bunting 

My first visit to Bredhurst for over a month, so long overdue. I was hoping to find a Red Kite as so many were reported elsewhere in the county, albeit mainly E Kent. However, no luck at Bredhurst this afternoon. I saw no reptiles in PV though admittedly not the best time of day to look for them. There were 3-4 Painted Ladies, so hopefully a good omen for the species this year. TF had six Adders, three of each sex I think. One was a sub-adult female. Only one Slow-worm was found. A Small Tortoiseshell was the best find in terms of butterflies in TF. Day Valley Two male Adders Male and female Adder  Female Adder? Sub-adult female Adder Slow-worm female  Small Tortoiseshell 

Not sure where to go this morning then news came through of a Red-breasted Flycatcher at Dungeness so that provided a solution. The bird was in the moat with about four other birders there when we arrived. It was a sunny morning and the flycatcher was quite active, singing on and off, a very pleasant song. It occasionally showed in a gap in the bushes close to the ground.  Although a male it didn't have a red-orange breast, just a creamy throat and thus was probably a first summer bird. Afterwards we walked round the Long Pits trying to see one of the Spotted Flycatchers that had been reported, though had no luck. There were a couple of singing Lesser Whitethroats though it was generally quiet. Four-spotted Chasers were near the water, also some Red-eyed Damselflies. Butterflies included my first Small Heath and Brown Argus of the year. Near the end of the day we visited the RSPB reserve, checking the new scrape near Boulderwall Farmhouse where a Black-winged Stilt had been reporte...